Fragment: Textile Item Number: Edz1333 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

White clothing fragment with black embroidery. The fragment is rectangular with one cut edge, one hemmed edge and two sides sewn closed. The embroidery is arranged in several bands, covering half the fragment. The first band has sequences of lotus flowers with projecting leaves growing from triangle, flanked by smaller flowers separated by trifurcated pondweed stem. The second band has two solid lines, rinceau edging, lotus motifs. The third band is wider than others with a lotus diaper pattern. The fourth band has geometric flower rinceau, curved flower and leaf rinceau. The inside is unlined.

History Of Use

Blue and white embroideries are part of an ancient domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed which traditionally played a focal part in household ritual particularly at the new year when all household spirits were honored. They are family made, by women, and family owned. These embroideries were of no local commercial value.

Cultural Context

utilitarian;household

Iconographic Meaning

Lotus; creative power, purity.

Item History

What

Name
Fragment: Textile
Identification Number
Edz1333
Type of Item
textile
Material
indigo dye and cotton fibre
Manufacturing Technique
woven, dyed, stitched and embroidered
Overall
height 22.5 cm, width 19.5 cm

Who

Culture
Chinese
Previous Owner
Kathleen F. Spooner
Received from
Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Chengdu, Sichuan, China

When

Creation Date
before 1945
Collection Date
between 1932 and 1945
Ownership Date
before April 25, 1979
Acquisition Date
on April 25, 1979

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
0567/0108